St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-09-03
A STEAMSHIP BURNED.
The Inman Line Steamer City of Montreal
Destroyed In Midocean.

Destroyed In MtdOceans
The Inman Line steamer City of Montreal
has been destroyed by fire at sea. She left
New York, August 6, for Liverpool. She
was commanded by Captain Land. Shortly
after the passengers had gone to bed on the
night of the 10th, the ship being in latitude 43
north at the time, they were aroused by an
alarm of fire A scene of CONSERVATION en-
sued, and the passengers were greatly terri
fed when they found out the true state of
affairs The smoke caused by the fire was
sutfocating.
The passengers dressed and got on deck as
quickly as possible, and with but little ap-
pearance of panic.
The fire originated in the cotton stored in
the after main hold. Nine streams of water
were soon working on the flames, and the
course Of the vessel was shaped toward New
foundland, 400 miles distant
The flames spread with great rapidity, and
soon had burst with terrific force through
the midway and after matches, the heat
being intense 1t becoming evident that it
was impossible to save the ship, amomentary
panic ensued.
The boats were eight in number and con-
sisted of four life-boats and four pinnaces.
These were launched and stocked with pro-
visions. The flames spread with great fierce
ness, and the efforts to quench them, it was
found, were futile. At eight o'clock in the
morning the passengers We're marshaled on
deck preparatory to entering the boats. Many
of them were weeping, but on the whole they
were quiet and orderly. The family groups
presented a sight pitiful to see as they hud-
died together in fear and trembling. There
was a heavy sea running, and it was with
great difficulty that the boats were kept
from being smashed. The crew worked
splendidly, and all the passengers were
placed in the boats in a comparatively short
time. How the boats hoated with their
heavy loads is miracle.
AS the last boat was putting off from the
ship several of the passengers and crew were
seen aft. They had been overlooked and
were screaming to the boats to return. They
were subsequently bravely rescued, half dead
from the effects of the smoke and heat.
The boats soon scattered and one entirely
vanished. This contained two stewards two
seamen and seven passengers, and there is
but little doubt that the whole boat load per-
ished The boat did not contain full crew,
and left the City of Montreal against the
captains ORDERS as there was time to take
many more in it. The other survivors con-
slider the fate of the occupants of the boat as
a Judgment for their cowardice.
A bark was sighted shortly after the boats
left the steamer, and her crew were prepar
ing to pick up the survivors, when the
steamer York City, attracted by the flames
from the burning vessel, which were shoot
ing upa hundred feet in the air, bore down
and, with difficulty, took all hands on
board. The rescued people were treated with
the utmost kindness by the captain and crew
of the York City, and the passengers speak
with much feeling of the consideration
which was accorded to them.
The York City proceeded to London after
landing the City Of Montreaps passengers
and crew at Queenstown.
The survivors are unanimous in declaring
that the officers and crew of the City Of
Montreal did theirduty nobly and skilfully.